'I'm a man of God': Driver accused of stealing ambulance, leading police on chase

CROSBY, Texas – A man is in custody after police said he stole an ambulance and led them on a slow-speed chase through northeast Harris County.

Officers said Daniel Jacob Mitchell stole the ambulance from the Kingwood Medical Center around 3:20 a.m. Thursday before leading police on a chase that ended in the Crosby area.

Authorities said Mitchell was picked up in the Crosby area for an “unknown problem” and was compliant as he was transported to the Kingwood Hospital.

When they arrived at the hospital, Mitchell – who had shown no signs of violence – was able to break away from the paramedics and steal the ambulance.

Mitchell then came over the police scanners and started threatening to kill everyone and talking about God and aliens and how they are coming to get him, police said.

Police said the chase started in the Kingwood area and lasted nearly an hour. At some point during the chase, police threw out spike strips, which hit the ambulance’s right front tire.

Despite the flat tire, Mitchell kept driving until reaching the Crosby area, at which point he abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot, police said.

He did not get very far before police were able to apprehend him.

Video shows Mitchell being animated and talkative while in handcuffs, threatening officers multiple times.

VIDEO: Man accused of stealing ambulance arrested

At one point, Mitchell said, "Why did I just steal an ambulance? I'm a normal man, pleasing God."

Mitchell said to a news photographer, "Put it on camera. They're trying to drug me because I'm a man of God."

He then is heard threatening one of the officers, "I got hepatitis. You're gonna die."

According to authorities, Mitchell was under the influence of an unknown substance during the time of the incident and drove to Crosby because he lives in the area.

Authorities said he was transported to another area hospital after the incident.

Mitchell is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle, according to court records.


About the Authors:

Daniela Sternitzky-Di Napoli has been a digital news editor at KPRC 2 since 2018. She is a published poet and has background in creative writing and journalism. Daniela has covered events like Hurricane Harvey and the Astros World Series win. In her spare time, Daniela is an avid reader and loves to spend time with her two miniature dachshunds.